Talent is overrated

Uncommon: Talent is overrated. It’s actually quite a useless metric to measure or predict much of anything.

There, I said it.

It seems that people who are unhappy with what they have accomplished over the course of 5, 10 or more years almost always make statements that suggest a lack of natural ability. They often conclude that they don’t “have what it takes.” It’s the classic case of focusing on differentiating factors of successful people rather than the similarities.

The reality is, we all ‘have’ an equal amount of what really matters: time. And time is opportunity – hands down the greatest asset we have. Time really is the great equalizer. More than anything else, it’s how we use our minutes that determines the quality of our lives.

Successful individuals realize that time is more valuable than skill, money, and almost any other resource because with enough time, you can hone skills, raise capital, nurture relationships, and summon what is required for an exceptional life.

“Ok,” you ask, ”but is it really important to obsess about the seconds and minutes of our day?” Rather than give my opinion, I’ll let you make the call. Here’s how the details add up…

When asked, most people cannot accurately identify where their time goes—especiallysegments of 5 to 10 minutes. This is alarming. When the result is two and a half days lost in a single year, I hope it’s sobering enough to make you realize that squandered minutes quickly lead to a squandered life.

Let’s look at it from another, more intriguing perspective…

Your life expense account

Imagine that every morning a deposit of $86,400.00 was added to your checking account. But with each gift deposit come two unbreakable rules:

At the end of each day, your account balance is completely wiped. Everything you don’t spend during the day disappears. No transfers allowed.

The game can end at any time without warning.

What would you do with this capital? How might you act differently? What would your days look like?

Truth be told, this is not an exercise in financing. It’s (much) more sobering than that. Metaphorically, this ‘game’ is your life. The daily deposits of 86,400 are the number of seconds we’re granted each day. Money or not, the same immutable rules apply to our lives. How we use these non-refundable 86,400 units is our choice.

A little obsession with a big impact

Looking back on this year puts a smile on my face when I think about the many incredible things I’ve been able to do ­– its definitely been an ‘uncommon’ year (more on this in an upcoming post). But, I dare to say that none of it is the result of ‘natural ability.’ I am smart enough to know that I’m not sharpest tool in the shed (sigh).

Nonetheless, this awareness has changed my life in surprisingly positive way. Instead of focusing on the obscure, immeasurable, and inheritable elements of ‘talent,’ I turned my attention to maximizing what is universally equal: our time.

Over the years I’ve developed a healthy obsession about the 86,400 units of time that construct my day. From a young age I have attempted to squeeze the most out of each passing minute. And that has made all of the difference. Why? Because…

The willingness to manage your time fanatically precedes any increase in output.

Use it or lose it

How we use our time says everything about our priorities, our level of self-respect, and our understanding of the finite nature of life itself.

The way we use our time is directly related to how we value it.

In my new book, Be Uncommonly Productive, I offer the tools, systems, and habits that have allowed me do more than commonly possible while saving me 100 hours of personal time this year. But I also make one thing very clear from the outset: No one else can make you care – care about the 84,6000 seconds you’re gifted each day.

The best tools and insights will do absolutely nothing if not preceded by a passion for how often and how well each is applied. In other words, the magic of uncommon results is revealed in the application of time.

As I shared on the TUL Facebook page, the passing of time combined with an effort to be a better person presents all of the opportunities necessary to grow into a better version of yourself and claim the life you’ve always wanted. Even the largest mountains and the hardest rocks are no match against the tenacity of time – and we have much more of it than we care to admit (and often use).

If you can spare 15 minutes a day, you will have 3.8 full days each year to build a skill, network with extraordinary people, experiment with new productivity tools, and (fill in the blank). The only question remaining is, will you? Will you eradicate time waste? Will you stop blaming a lack natural talent?

When your response is a resounding “yes,” barriers to the uncommon become not only surmountable, but also somewhat irrelevant.

Be uncommon,

- Kent

IMPORTANT: It’s ‘time’ to step it up:

Much of this post was an excerpt from Be Uncommonly Productive – 15 unbreakable, paradigm-bending principles for slaughtering stress, taking charge, and doing more than commonly possible. I have decided to give 1,000 copies away (a $50 value). Grab your FREE copy here.

12 Comments

Patrick Manyanza December 8, 2011

Hey Kent, Time is absolutely a precious commodity. I am so grateful for your post, I actually came across your blog on the November 2011 issue of Success Magazine. The awesome part is that I actually live in Tanzania which is in East Africa. The culture that I see here in my country is one of laziness. A lot of people have a lot of potential but they are just not serious with their time. I am a voracious reader of a lot of self help books and I am definitely looking forward to read your book. I work as a consultant and a life coach, and my mission is to contribute towards changing peoples lives here. I definitely like your thinking and I look forward for future posts as well as sharing some of your ideas with the people in my country. Thanks for your contribution Kent and keep up the great work!!!

Hi Patrick. So glad we crossed paths online. It’s always a pleasure to hear from readers around the world. Having lived overseas and traveling constantly I know how cultures and work ethic/mentality can vary immensely. I can image what you do must be challenging, but it’s encouraging to hear stories about people such as yourself leading by example, impacting one life (and sometimes many more) at a time. Stay uncommon Patrick. The world needs those who are willing to swim upstream.

Ah, Mike & Kent, “Mavericks like us” I feel so fortunate to be in the company of like minded souls. We are blessed and don’t take no for an answer. Nay- sayers are not Mavericks and I personally don’t have time for them in this life of mine…

Another great post. When I think of time (that scarce resource and most valuable asset) in these terms it almost makes me tear up when I think of the time I have squandered.

It is amazing when I talk to people and they say: “I will do it tomorrow”, “I will do it later”, or “I am starting on Monday” like the day will come for them. It is good to plan for the future and not think of death, but this fallacy or as I call it “The arrogance of immortality” makes me wonder sometimes and explains to me why people delay making the life altering choices to empower themselves: they think they are guaranteed tomorrow and do not make the best of today. This results in a life of mediocrity and excuses (and sometimes the blame game or “I don’t got it” lie.) Excellent post Kent keep it up.

Thank you Mike. I like your term, “the arrogance of immortality.” Sounds like you may have read it already, but Seneca’s essay titled, On the Shortness of Life is phenomenal. One of the most motivating and sobering pieces of literature I’ve ever read.

Hi Kent, The works that you share are awesome! Since I am analytical this post is right up my alley and very fitting for the organizing I do and the two businesses I am looking at creating to help others as well. Keep it up! My best, Maureen

Hi Mike, I like your term “Arrogance of Immortality.” I am grateful my daughter did NOT have that when she was killed in a tragic car accident at 24yoa. Her life was an inspiration to others to do everything you want to get done each and everyday. She accomplished in her life what others can’t even do in a lifetime…

Thanks… I am sorry to hear about your lost. I lost my mother this summer and started thinking deeply about this topic of time and how vital it is to our existence. This blog nailed it but quantifying it to a good degree and emphasizing the importance of putting an EXTREME AMOUNT OF VALUE on it. I wholeheartedly agree with Kent, great insight.

Everyday when I go to work I see trillions traded in the FX markets. When I hear people say money is limited I laugh. Money is a economic construct and a thing we agree upon as having value and therefore it exists and can be printed to provide us with an ample amount or in the worst case printed in abundance (unfortunately). Time is scarce and life is fragile. Time wasted in my eyes is equated to some form of sin or crime: we will not be here for long make the best of it and play hard. Limitations and thoughts of fear and inadequacies or not for mavericks like us who dare to challenge ourselves and the status quo. Stay uncommon and achieve beyond your wildest dreams.

About the blog

In a tone that is delightfully candid, this blog aims to break the trance of convention we often unknowingly accept, but intuitively reject. It's time to dehypnotize yourself and recalibrate to a new beat: Your own. With an intensive focus on quality (not quantity) you can expect occasional tips, thoughts, and reflections about topics such as success, productivity, education, life, and more. Read More

Other blogs by Kent

Featured & Free!

To enjoy a good life, you must be productive. To enjoy an uncommon life, you must be uncommonly productive. For a limited time, get a FREE copy of my brand new book...